19

In the kitchen on the first floor of their home, Malu, Laxi's wife, swayed her plump hips while preparing breakfast.

She hummed a fairy ballad, her spirits lifted. Her wretched husband had finally brought home a hefty sum of gold coins last night for the first time.

Now they could afford some new things. They were running low on Floo powder and needed to restock. Most importantly, she could buy the latest goblin attire.

"Well, time to add an egg for extra nourishment."

She reached for an egg and cracked it open. Just as she was about to add it to the pot, a piercing scream echoed from upstairs.

Startled, she jerked her hand, causing the egg to fall into the trash can, while the shell ended up in the pot.

"Humph! Why all this racket so early in the morning? Are the Death Eaters here or what?"

Malu stormed upstairs, grumbling under her breath.

But her words caught in her throat as she entered the room.

A cacophony of voices erupted!

Inside, Malu tore at Laxi's clothes and clawed his face with her sharp nails, leaving bloody marks.

"Damn it!"

"Where's the money? Which bitch are you supporting, you devil?"

"It's because I twisted so hard last night! Laxi, you idiot, can't you learn from others and pull out?"

Realizing her mistake, Malu quickly covered her mouth.

Laxi, who had endured silently, suddenly lifted his head, eyes flashing with anger. He stood up abruptly and demanded:

"Pull out?"

"You've really gone too far! I knew you were becoming increasingly indifferent."

"So you've been sneaking around with Griphook behind my back!"

Their argument escalated...

---

Wiltshire, Malfoy Manor.

On the private spell practice grounds.

"Draco Malfoy!"

Lucius addressed his groggy son on the training field with a steely gaze.

"You must join me in revitalizing the Malfoy family!"

"Look at yourself now—listless, despondent! It's been half an hour and you can't even remember a basic spell!"

Startled awake, Draco glanced around anxiously, relieved not to see the hated parrot anywhere.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he straightened up, picked up his wand, and began practicing the Summoning Charm aloud: "Wingardium Leviosa..."

Perched on a large tree at Malfoy Manor.

A corpulent green parrot, covered in spots, rode another smaller parrot, shaking it.

Soon, the smaller parrot trembled.

Satisfied, the larger parrot dismounted the enchanted smaller one, glancing disdainfully at the blond human waving his wand nearby through the leafy canopy.

If Aaron knew his parrot was misbehaving, he'd have to add a new rule: no mischief while on official duty!

After all, he was still quite young.

Young and restless, with many desires but unable to fulfill them.

---

In an old castle outside London.

Aaron stood before the mirror in a crisp, stylish suit, examining himself. His neatly groomed flaxen hair, piercing blue eyes, and finely chiseled features, pleased him.

"Yeah."

He nodded, satisfied. Would that girl with the twin ponytails be captivated by this look?

"We're heading to Diagon Alley later. How do I transport that Coke machine and robot?"

It had been fun to build them, but now it was a logistical headache.

Since he hadn't yet mastered the Disillusionment Charm , transporting such large items without people seeing was impossible.

"Caw!"

The crow beside him suddenly cawed twice.

Aaron regarded the crow thoughtfully, a spark of inspiration igniting in his eyes!

Half an hour later.

Aaron wore a backpack with something subtly moving inside.

Yes, he had dismantled the machine into parts and stowed them in the crow's enchanted pouch. All he had to do was take the crow to the outskirts of Diagon Alley and reassemble it.

Swish and flick!

Just as he prepared to depart, several owls swooped in through the castle windows, pecking impatiently.

"Oh, how could I forget?"

Aaron slapped his forehead. The magical books and robes he'd purchased from Diagon Alley yesterday had arrived sooner than expected.

With a non-verbal Summoning Charm, he opened the window.

The twin wands strapped to his wrists were more decorative than functional. Possessing the ancient Dark Magic of the Heart's Curse, Aaron had no need for a wand at all. His magic could be cast with a mere thought.

Why bother with a wand that was over ten inches long?

"It's only good for keeping appearances," he thought.

The owls departed, leaving a pile of packages on the floor.

"What's next?"

"Just unpack everything."

Aaron decided to sort through his purchases before heading to Diagon Alley. There was still plenty of time.

Among the neatly wrapped parcels lay a weathered brown envelope bearing the seal and crest of Hogwarts.

"An old Bee's letter?"

Aaron was intrigued by the sender's identity.